Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-03-24
THEREIN is LOVE-"
Not q Sentiment to Be Dreamed Ovel
But n Real Fruit Of tho brit.

Not Sentiment to Xse Dreamed Over,
but n Real Fruit of tho brit.
This princip pie of 4 concerA for the
good of others, not second to the care
we expend upon our own. is one viii Oh
hal its birth on the soil of Gods reve-
lation, and came to its maturity only
within the Kingdom of our Lord and
Saviour. originally the rule stands on
an Old Testament page as 4 revelation
from Heaven; but it stool there for
centuries revelation unappreciated.
till in the missiol of Gods Son to save
mankind it received the illumination
of q Heavenly example. Then it be-
came plain how God himself under
stood lovc,ne:g ll5or loyc-love for
mankind.
Then Il pure. unsciiisl,. ethical dcyo-
ton to the interests OF humanity. apart
from preference. sentiment. instinct, or
unraasonins fondness such devotion
rs prompts active compassion for MS
cry. patient forocariace with evil, for
Giveness of wrongs. and salf-Sacriice
to rcscaa the lost received its earliest
and supreme illustration. Then men
learned for the first time what God in
His law had asked for at mems hands.
but hitherto had ask I'd for in vain. In the
strong words of one Who drank rs deep
rs any of the new wine of Heaven. then
WAS love male apparent. Herein is
love-" such love rs fuliilis the law,
THAT IL sent His Son to b. the propiti-
a;ion for or sins"
If. therefore, You woald know what
~love" for your neighbor means. learn
it here. Ii yoa would feel such ''love"
for your neighbor. kindle your torch at
this sun. ..If we love one another.
then is Gods love perfected in us"
1t is no growth OF nature, no instinr
Of the fallen heart. no sentiment born
Of TIE ina -inatioa in tender cnthu-
siasts. 1t Is Il fruit of the Spirit. Nay,
il is the fruit o; tie Spirit, the most
characteristic of all. aal the most cx-
cellent of all; first of all. strong ana
abiding graceS of the Divine nature,
wrought in every one who is bago.ten
Of Col. and has the strong Son of God
abiding in him.
You can not dream Yourself into this
as into an imaginative attachment to
ideal humanity. Il is of too masculi ne
sibcr for that. and asks for too much
nndemOnstrative and unattractive serv-
ice at our hands. Neither does it fly
abroad for picturesque objects on
which to lavish lis enthusiasm, but
finds its needy ncighbors at its very
door. and girds itself to serve them
with sirdle of humanity. This genu-
ine Christian concern for ones neigh
bors can be shown everywhcre-a.
home. in business. behind the counter.
as well as in the miSsion-room or in the
hospital ward. or the squalid cellar of
the pauper. ltmeans simply universal
respect for every mans rights. a care
for every mans interest, willingness
to be every mans equal. brother. and.
If need be. servant, for Chr.st's sake
who loved us al and gave Himself for
Samaritan. VIII, so loved our wounded.
naked world of mankind that for sheer
brotheriy confession He stopped to heal
its deadly wound with tears and blood,
and wrap its naked shame with the
mantle of his immense; pure charity?
Hast thou watched Him at his task:
Go thou and do likewise. ~ OScold
Dykes, ID.